Nuri rocket launch heralds South Koreas first microsatellite constallation and shows it might have the technology to launch its own Starlink

Date:
Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:05:00 +0000

Description:
The first domestic microsatellite launch in South Koreas growing space
program is deploying 15 orbiting research and communications satellites.

FULL STORY
South Korea is preparing for the fifth launch of its
Nuri rocket, which will have a 15-strong payload of NEONSATs and
CubeSats, marking the first time the nation has deployed a microsatellite constellation.

If successful, the launch could spearhead future projects that might even include a Starlink-like satellite internet service. Five NEONSATS and 10 CubeSats will be deployed by the Nuri rocket, which has a planned launch date of October 7, 2026. Once launched, the five NEONSATS will later be joined by
a further five microsatellites. With the 10-strong constellation monitoring the Korean Peninsula to assist with national security threat and disaster response procedures. While the 10 CubeSats represent scientific and
corporate partnerships in the launch, the NEONSATS are of particular
interest. The quintet of New-space Earth Observation Satellite Constellation for National Safety units will be deployed first as a five-piece constellation, and thanks to electro-optical cameras will provide previously unavailable monitoring of South Korea from orbit, ostensibly for disaster response. However, they also have the capacity to provide support in national security scenarios.

South Korea and North Korea are technically still at war, despite recently proposing talks to officially end the 1953 armistice.

Park Jae-sung, head of the Korea AeroSpace Administrations (KASA) space transportation division, told press that "On its fifth launch, the Nuri
rocket will attempt Korea's first satellite constellation launch mission. It will mark a turning point for the country's satellite development as it advances toward mass production and constellation operations."

Is this a Starlink dry-run?

While the electro-optical cameras on the 500 kg NEONSATS offer
unprecedented monitoring for disasters and potentially neighboring
territories, the entire launch set up appears to mirror a completely
different project: Starlink. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter

Koreas home grown Nuri rocket, a fifth launch, and a long-term ambition to reach Mars by 2045 might seem like a general mirroring of Elon Musks plans with SpaceX. However, the launch of a microsatellite constellation adds a further dimension. Could South Korea be planning its own Starlink-like satellite internet communications network?

If the Nuri rocket successfully deploys its payloads and the NEONSATS link up as intended, a Starlink-like system at some point in the future should not be ruled out. However, this clear potential comes with a pretty big warning
sign: North Korea.

Starlink currently refuses to provide internet to North Korea, where it is banned. Would a South Korea-only network of internet microsatellites be able to avoid providing connectivity to its neighbor? In practice, this should not be difficult using the type of Phased Array Antennas that Starlink employs, which directs data more specifically than was possible with traditional satellites.

Objections from North Korea reasonable or otherwise may scupper any Starlink-inspired ambitions from Seoul, however.

Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/nuri-rocket-launch-heralds-south-koreas-first-mi crosatellite-constallation-and-shows-it-might-have-the-technology-to-launch-it s-own-starlink

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